The Best Sustainable Products for Your Office Pantry

Sustainability is at the forefront of so many employees' minds. According to IBM, 75% of employees want to see their employers take action on social responsibility issues, while 68% say office sustainability programs make companies more appealing.

Office pantry services can serve two purposes:

1. They can build a thriving office culture that brings employees together.
2. They are an easy springboard to showcase company values in an outward-facing way, such as DEI or sustainability.

You don't need to reinvent the supply chain to make an impact. You simply have to make smarter choices when it comes to office snacks, drinks, coffee, and supplies. The challenge is that finding those alignments can be time-consuming. You don't have the time to scour the internet for every brand's sustainability commitments. If only there were someone who could help.

The Crafty Platform is here to save the day and the environment. Not only does the platform consolidate orders, but it also helps you quickly find sustainable options. Most often, you'll find that some of your choices, such as vegan or dairy-free, are sustainable.

B Corp

Crafty champions B Corp brands, the vanguard of sustainability in the corporate world. These brands prioritize profit and purpose, meeting rigorous social and environmental performance standards, accountability, and transparency. Here are some standout B Corp brands and their unique efforts to ensure sustainability:

• Counter Culture
  This B Corp Certified brand goes beyond coffee perfection with initiatives like carbon-neutral roasting and fair trade sourcing.
• Pipcorn
  Pipcorn focuses on reducing its carbon footprint through renewable energy use and minimal packaging waste.
• Vita Coco
  With B Corp Certification under its belt, Vita Coco ensures sustainability by supporting local farming communities and implementing eco-friendly packaging solutions.
• Olipop
  As a B Corp Certified company, Olipop prioritizes sustainability using recyclable packaging and sourcing ingredients from regenerative agriculture practices.
• Numi Organic Tea
  Numi Organic Tea promotes sustainability through fair trade partnerships and biodegradable tea bags.

Plant-Based

Most people don't know how many resources it takes to produce animal-based products. Animals need land, water, and food to graze, which can impact the environment.

A Stanford report found that if everyone in the US chose to eat meat-free and dairy-free for one day a week, "it would have the same environmental impact as taking 7.6 million cars off the road." In fact, the world's five largest meat and dairy producers emit more combined greenhouse gasses than ExxonMobil, Shell, or BP, according to a report by GRAIN and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

Join the green revolution by incorporating plant-based options into your office pantry. These alternatives reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption and promote animal welfare.

• That's It., Apple + Blueberry Fruit Bar
  This fruity delight offers a delicious plant-based jerky alternative, prioritizing sustainability through eco-friendly packaging and ethical sourcing practices.
• Barnana, Organic Ribbed Plantain Chips
  Indulge guilt-free with these plant-based chips, made from millions of upcycled bananas and plantains that would have otherwise gone in the trash.
• Snacklins,Barbeque
  Elevate your snacking experience with these barbeque-flavored plant-based chips, crafted with care for both your health and the environment.

Vegan

Using our vegan filter is another way to find plant-based products in the Crafty Platform. A recent study found that vegan products need 26.9% less energy for food production and have a 41.5% smaller environmental footprint. Plus, vegan diets have been shown to have higher amounts of fiber, antioxidants and iron which are beneficial to health. Therefore, these options can be a win-win for your health and the planet.

• Larabar, Cashew Cookie
  This vegan delight is made entirely with plant-based foods such as fruits, nuts and spices. Even their chocolate chip varieties are completely dairy-free.
• MadeGood, Granola Minis Strawberry
  MadeGood vegan Granola Minis avoid the most common allergens while being organic with nutrients from vegetable extracts.
• Bai, Costa Rica Clementine
  Treat yourself to this vegan favorite, knowing that each sip contributes to a more sustainable future for our planet.

Dairy-Free

Like plant-based options, dairy-free options can also be a step toward a more sustainable workplace. An Oxford study found that a glass of dairy milk produces almost 3x more greenhouse gases than non-dairy milk. Simply switching to dairy-free milk, yogurt, etc., can have an impact without sacrificing flavor.

• MUSH, Vanilla Bean
  This dairy-free delight is made with plant-based ingredients rich in protein and fiber, all inside a 100% recyclable cup.
• Hippeas ChicPea Puffs, Vegan White Cheddar
  Enjoy that cheesy flavor without all that dairy. Plus, rest easy knowing that Hippeas chickpeas and yellow peas use regenerative farming to improve soil health, build organic matter, and restore degraded biodiversity.
• GoMacro MacroBar, Coconut + Almond Butter + Chocolate Chips
  These delicious plant-based, dairy-free protein bars contain 11 grams of vegan protein and are made with responsibly sourced plant-based ingredients.

Sustainable Supplies

Your office pantry also needs supplies, in addition to office snacks, drinks, and coffee, and that's where things can start to feel less than sustainable. Plastic makes up about 52% of all consumer packaging worldwide, creating 184 to 213 million metric tons of greenhouse gases each year to produce and that's not even considering what happens when plastic arrives in landfills.  

We've seen many workplaces lead with compostable supplies such as plates, cups, and utensils. In 2023, compostable pantry supply units increased by 68% across Crafty clients, making up 53% of the supply category.

Compostable Options

• Fabri-Kal, Greenware 12 oz. Compostable Clear Cold Up
  Sip guilt-free from these compostable cups, knowing they will break down naturally, leaving no harmful environmental residue.
• Bunn-o-Matic, Gourmet Coffee Filters
  With these compostable coffee filters, employees can enjoy sustainably brewed coffee each morning (or afternoon…or evening). They are designed to decompose alongside coffee grounds, leaving nothing but enriching soil behind.
• EcoChoice, Compostable & Biodegradable 9" Plates
  Made from bagasse, a by-product of sugarcane processing, these plates can be composted into organic matter.

Recyclable Options

• Stout, Recycling Plastic Trash Bags, 30 Gallon
  Dispose of your office waste responsibly with these recyclable trash bags. Made from recycled resin, they can be turned into new products after use.
• Visions, White Heavy Weight Plastic Utensils
  Enjoy your office meals with these recyclable utensils made from durable plastic that can be recycled into new items, reducing environmental impact.
• Choice, 10-24 oz Eco Printed Coffee Cup Sleeves
  Keep your hands cool and your conscience clear with these recyclable coffee cup sleeves, printed with eco-friendly ink and ready to be recycled after use.

Creating a sustainable office pantry doesn't mean overhauling the supply chain or creating your own farm; you're just a workplace, after all. Sometimes, it's best to go with the path of least resistance and find simple brand and product swaps that align with your goals.

Lucky for you, the Crafty Platform makes that as painless as possible. Use our product filters to find the next great sustainable snack for your team or even find existing alignments in your lineup. Learn more about crafting a sustainable workplace today.